3.

The Ethiopian
Eunuch is saved
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The Ethiopian Eunuch
Military generals rode on horses—a
chariot showed wealth.
Ethiopia was 1,500 miles from
Jerusalem—the furthest parts of the
Roman Empire, “the edge of the world”.
2
This takes place unobserved in a
remote desert—but impacts the
church for centuries.
Philip leaves a move of God to
go to one man on a desert road.

4
Treasurer to Queen Candace of
Ethiopia—he was very important
and trustworthy.
He was a eunuch - not allowed to
worship in the Temple.

5
The gospel was about to break into
North Africa—going through another
boundary of Acts 1:8.
This incident is one-on-one
evangelism—Samaria was to crowds.

6
4. Saul [Paul] is saved
4. Saul [Paul] is saved
4. Saul [Paul] is saved
Probably born about the same time as
Jesus.
Did not meet Jesus during his ministry.

9
William J. Larkin,
“The most important event in
human history apart from the life,
death, and resurrection of Jesus of
Nazareth is the conversion to
Christianity of Saul of Tarsus.”
10
J. Gresham Machen,
“The Christian movement … in
35AD… would have appeared to a
superficial observer to be a Jewish
sect. Thirty years later it was plainly a
world religion. This establishment as a
world religion…was the work of Paul.”
11
Roman name, Paulus.
Father and mother both
Jews
He was a Pharisee.

12
Hebrew name, Saul
(tribe of Benjamin) after
the first king of Israel.

12
Luke tells of his conversion three
times in Acts.
Paul influenced:
The New Testament as we know it,
The major doctrines,
The thinking of Augustine, Luther,
Wesley and many more.
13
Some of the world’s most hostile
thinkers, like Nietzsche, Freud,
and George Bernard Shaw,
saved their most caustic remarks
for the apostle Paul.

14
Grew up in Tarsus—spoke
Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic.
Tarsus was “little Athens”
- learned philosophy and
poetry of the Greeks.

15
“A man of middling size, and his hair was
scanty, and his legs were a little crooked,
and his knees were far apart; he had
large eyes, and his eyebrows met, and
his nose was somewhat long…”

16
…sometimes he seemed like a man, and
sometimes he had the countenance of
an angel”

16
Stanley Toussaint (Bible
Knowledge Commentary)
How God prepared Saul
for the work to which
Jesus called him:

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(1) Knew the Jewish culture
and language well (Acts 21:40;
Phil. 3:5).

17
(1) Knew the Jewish culture
and language well (Acts 21:40;
Phil. 3:5).
(2) Brought up in Tarsus — knew
Greek culture and philosophy
(Acts 17:22–31; Titus 1:12).

17
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(3) Had all the privileges of
a Roman citizen (Acts
16:37; 22:23–29; 25:10–12).

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(3) Had all the privileges of
a Roman citizen (Acts
16:37; 22:23–29; 25:10–12).
(4) Trained and skilled in
Jewish theology (Gal. 1:14).

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(5) Had a secular trade—able
to support himself (Acts
18:3; 1 Cor. 9:4–18 etc.).

18
(5) Had a secular trade—able
to support himself (Acts
18:3; 1 Cor. 9:4–18 etc.).
(6) God gave him passion,
leadership qualities, and
theological understanding.

18
Acts 8:1-3 Saul persecuting the church.
In Acts 9:1-9 he is growing that mission.
Going to Damascus—arresting any
Christians—take them back to
Jerusalem

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What been happening in Saul’s mind
and heart through this time?
He loved God—was passionate for his
honour.
Is this God simply hearing his/the
church’s prayers and breaking through?
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As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly
a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell
to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul,
Saul, why do you persecute me?’
5 ‘Who are you, Lord?’ Saul asked.
‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ he
replied. 6 ‘Now get up and go into the city, and
you will be told what you must do.’
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Ananias: Acts 9:10–19
A disciple in
Damascus.
Received a vision
from the Lord to visit
Saul.

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Commanded to pray
for Saul’s healing.
Feared Saul.
The Lord reassured
him.

22
For 3 years after his
baptism…preached in
Damascus and spent
time in the desert Gal.
1:17; Acts 9:19ff.

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Jewish opposition
made him flee to
Jerusalem.
No one believed he
was a disciple (9:26).

23
Barnabas tried to
introduce him to church
leaders.
In Jerusalem 2 weeks
before Jews tried to kill
him.
23
Paul went to Tarsus for 10 years.
Barnabas asked Paul to come to
Antioch to help with the church.
Missionary trips go from here, Acts
13:1ff.

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5. Cornelius is saved
5. Cornelius is saved
Acts 9…Peter is
central
v32ff — Aenas is healed
at Lydda.
v 36ff — Tabitha (Dorcas)
dies and is raised.
26
Acts 10…
1-7—Cornelius has a vision
9-15—Peter has a vision
17-48—Peter visits Cornelius—
Christ is proclaimed.
HS comes on the Gentiles!
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An angel appears to Cornelius in
Caesarea, he was a Gentile
centurion—he sends for Peter.
Peter was in Joppa, 50km south.

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Previously Peter had a powerful
dream/vision in the noonday sun and
God spoke to him.

30
Vision of a sheet containing all sorts
of unclean animals.
God said eat!
Peter protested.
God repeats that it is ok.
Peter is left puzzled.
30
Food laws being abolished in this
chapter is a massive issue.
Peter protests to God!
Circumcision, Sabbath laws, food laws
set the Jews apart in a visible way—they
distinguished Israel from the Gentiles.
31
Peter did not want to go or have
anything to do with Gentiles - Jews
did not enter a Gentiles house.
The Spirit says to Peter - Go!
Peter goes with 6 other men.

32
… as Peter speaks at
the home of
Cornelius the Spirit
of God falls on the
whole household.

33
The unimaginable has
happened!
Gentiles have received
salvation and the gift of
God.
Peter baptises then stays
and teaches.
33
Longest story in Acts.
Importance shown by repetition:
visions are repeated in detail (10,11).
Peter is important to the start of
Gentile mission.

34
While Peter was still saying these
things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who
heard the word…the gift of the Holy
Spirit was poured out even on the
Gentiles…For they were hearing them
speaking in tongues and extolling God.
35
OFTEN CALLED
“THE GENTILE
PENTECOST”
Some similarities…
Holy Spirit acted sovereignly
Tongues
Praising God - mighty works declared
Receiving Holy Spirit - fell, poured out
Baptism of new believers
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THE END…
FOR NOW